Understanding The Different Types of Sex Crimes

Sex crimes can have a life changing impact on the victim. The trauma of having been sexually violated by another person may be too much for the victim. The stigma can be far worse depending on the manner the crime was committed. According to statistics from the National Sex Offender Public Website of the US Department of Justice, there were 62.939 cases of child sexual abuse in 2012. On the other hand, the National Criminal Victimization Survey of the Bureau of Justice Statistics revealed that there were 346,830 cases of sexual assault involving 12 years or younger in 2012.

According to the website of Nashville sex offense attorney, Brent Horst Attorney At Law, sex crimes are usually the result of criminal actions. The severity of charges and penalties are determined by various circumstances surrounding the crime. Here are the different types of sex crimes that a person can commit:

Aggravated Sexual Abuse or Rape

This act involves inducing threat or force in order to force another individual to take part in sexual activity or other means. The activity is with another person who does not have the capacity to choose as a result of intoxication from drugs or alcohol. The victim can be minors who are less than 16 years of age.

Sex Crimes Involving Children and Minors

The following are sex crimes that involve children and minors:

• Child pornography or nudity that may involve exploitation of a child or minor through filming or recording sessions, advertisement, books, magazines, and videotapes.
• Showing the above depictions online, in interstate facilities, or through state lines
• Prostitution, solicitation, pandering, or pimping are usually charged as felony or misdemeanor in certain states such as in California. Prostitution is receiving monetary favors in exchange for sexual intercourse or other acts.
• Molestation/Lewd Act with a Minor is an act involving persons who are less than 14 years old with the intent of arousing, appealing to or gratifying the lust or sexual desires of the individual or the minor.
• Statutory Rape is sexual intercourse with a female who is below the legal age of 18 years old but above the child age of 14. Even if the minor gives consent to the sexual act, the adult can still be charged with statutory rape. If the act involves a teacher, priest, or other persons held in high esteem, there could be additional laws and penalties.
• Lewd acts, lascivious conduct, and indecent exposure are public sexual acts such as exposing the genitals in a public place. These are charged as misdemeanor in some states.

Sexual Slavery or Human Trafficking

These are acts that involve buying, selling, or psychologically and/or physically enslaving a person in exchange for unwanted sex

A person who commits sexual acts is required by law to register as a sex offender. Under the National Sex Offender Registration and Notification System, all sex offenders released into the community must register and keep their information current by providing their residence location, school attendance data , employment status, and other personal details. Depending on their category, sex offenders must follow certain time periods:

• Tier I must keep their records current for 15 years
• Tier II must maintain their registration for 25 years
• Tier III must keep their current registration for a lifetime